Looking for tips and advice for a 5-day trip to Miami and Key West
Jun 10, 2015, 7:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
Looking for tips and advice for a 5-day trip to Miami and Key West
This is kind of last minutes questions, but I figure I would post them anyways. I'm a newly college graduate from NC, taking my parents on a trip to Miami and Key West before I go out-of-state for grad school. We have been in the US less than 5 years, and my parents haven't actually traveled to anywhere worthwhile, so I am very excited to be able to take them on this trip. As a student, my budget is pretty limited, so I've been trying my best to minimize the amount of money that we will spend.
We're riding on Amtrak to Miami from Greensboro, NC. I booked a roomette for my parents with 20,000 Chase points. I have a BOGO certificate from my Chase Amtrak that I used to book 2 tickets for me and my sister ($200 total). After arriving in Miami, we'll stay at the Cambria Hotel & Suites Blue Lagoon (excellent value for 10,000 Choice points in my opinion). Next day we'll rent a car to drive to Key West and stay at the Hyatt Beach House resort, using 2 free nights from my mom Chase Hyatt card. We'll drive back to Miami and stay for another day at the Cambria hotel before heading back to Greensboro. The entire trip last 6 days including 2 almost 24-hour rides on train.
My mainly concern right now is that I'm totally unfamiliar with the Miami and Key West area, so I don't know what budget destinations to visit to maximize our time and also have a lot of fun. I also heard that toll roads are pretty bad in Florida. I would really appreciate if you guys can give me some insights into what to expect and some recommendations in terms of places to visit. My family and I prefers beautiful water, beaches and scenery than the partying atmosphere that I heard to be the signature of this area. My main objective for this trip is to give my parents some good relaxing time. I hope that I didn't just pick the wrong destination :-)
We're riding on Amtrak to Miami from Greensboro, NC. I booked a roomette for my parents with 20,000 Chase points. I have a BOGO certificate from my Chase Amtrak that I used to book 2 tickets for me and my sister ($200 total). After arriving in Miami, we'll stay at the Cambria Hotel & Suites Blue Lagoon (excellent value for 10,000 Choice points in my opinion). Next day we'll rent a car to drive to Key West and stay at the Hyatt Beach House resort, using 2 free nights from my mom Chase Hyatt card. We'll drive back to Miami and stay for another day at the Cambria hotel before heading back to Greensboro. The entire trip last 6 days including 2 almost 24-hour rides on train.
My mainly concern right now is that I'm totally unfamiliar with the Miami and Key West area, so I don't know what budget destinations to visit to maximize our time and also have a lot of fun. I also heard that toll roads are pretty bad in Florida. I would really appreciate if you guys can give me some insights into what to expect and some recommendations in terms of places to visit. My family and I prefers beautiful water, beaches and scenery than the partying atmosphere that I heard to be the signature of this area. My main objective for this trip is to give my parents some good relaxing time. I hope that I didn't just pick the wrong destination :-)
Jun 11, 2015, 4:33 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
While South Florida does have a reputation for "the partying atmosphere", it's still fairly easy to avoid. Most of the time, a quick glance into a restaurant/bar is all you need. Plus, avoid places that advertise "2 for 1" shots on their windows. I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect of your trip.
As for the toll roads, you probably do want to avoid them as most rental car companies charge administrative fees on top of the tolls. The good news is that tolls are usually easy to avoid if you plan ahead.
Whenever I travel outside of my area, I always consult a map website. (I'm a fan of Bing Maps.) After you enter your start and end points, you can click on "show options" and select "Avoid toll roads".
The quickest route (without traffic) from your hotel to Key West is 157.3 miles taking 3 hours and 11 minutes. When you use the "Avoid toll roads" option, the route is 155.0 miles taking 3 hours and 28 minutes.
As for the toll roads, you probably do want to avoid them as most rental car companies charge administrative fees on top of the tolls. The good news is that tolls are usually easy to avoid if you plan ahead.
Whenever I travel outside of my area, I always consult a map website. (I'm a fan of Bing Maps.) After you enter your start and end points, you can click on "show options" and select "Avoid toll roads".
The quickest route (without traffic) from your hotel to Key West is 157.3 miles taking 3 hours and 11 minutes. When you use the "Avoid toll roads" option, the route is 155.0 miles taking 3 hours and 28 minutes.
Jun 11, 2015, 1:49 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
Posts: 29,787
What do you/your parents like to do?
Off the top of my head:
Keys -
Free/Cheap stuff:
- Mallory square for the sunset celebration entertainment
Along the way down or back:
- MM 77.5 Robbie's Marina to feed the tarpon
- MM 29 - Big Pine Key:
Key Deer State Park: http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/ - Home of the endangered Key Deer. They are a small version of deer. Do not speed through this area, especially at night, you will be ticketed. Lots of warning signs up.
Places to eat/things to eat:
Local fare to try includes Fish Dip (Smoked fish & spices), Conch Chowder (spicy tomato based soup), Conch Fritters, Stone Crab Claws(dip in Remoulade Sauce) , Key Lime Pie.
Pepe’s - http://www.pepescafe.net/ Locals place, though getting more popular with the tourists. Great place for breakfast.
Blue Heaven - http://www.blueheavenkw.com/ http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Bl..._Key_West.html
Good breakfast. Live music, outdoor dining. Will be a wait. Never eaten dinner there though.
Places to drink:
Green Parrot - http://www.greenparrot.com/ - Best locals bar. Good live music, great jukebox.
Schooner Wharf - http://www.schoonerwharf.com/ - Throw back to old time Key West. Water front.
Captain Tony’s – Oldest bar in Key West, home of the Hanging Tree. Usually have music. Jimmy Buffett Iconic place
Turtle Kraals - http://www.kwflausa.com/key-west-listing-7332.html - Relaxing place with nice view and historical, as it is where the turtle pens (called kraals) were during the days when they were commercially harvested. If you are in the area and want a drink or snack, worth a stop.
Touristy places, but almost a requirement:
Sloppy Joe’s – Hemmingway’s hangout.
Margaritaville – Live music, decent food.
Hog’s Breath – http://www.hogsbreath.com/ - Better than no breath at all.
Other things to do:
Calendar of Events: http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/calendar.html
Key West Guide - http://www.kwflausa.com/
Sunset at Mallory Square – Get there an hour or two beforehand for the various street entertainers. Good food and drinks at El Meson De Pepe right in front of Mallory Square. They usually have a band around sunset.
Historical:
Mel Fischer’s Treasure Museum – The amount of treasure in there is stunning.
Hemingway House –
Southernmost Point
Key West Cemetery – Like New Orleans, interesting head stones. My favorite is “See, I told you I was sick.”
Fort Zachary Taylor - http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/home.html
Fort Jefferson - http://www.fortjefferson.com/home.htm - Dry Tortugas, a nice day trip or half day trip.
Land
Trolley or Conch Train – Good way to get around the island and see it all. One of them has a 2 day pass, but forget which one.
http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/
http://www.conchtourtrain.com/index.htm
Haunted Key West walking tours –
Rent a scooter (note, they do bust people for DUI on the scooters.)
Water
Snorkeling trips – there is one that is a catamaran that is pretty interesting, but there are a multitude of them.
Off the top of my head:
Keys -
Free/Cheap stuff:
- Mallory square for the sunset celebration entertainment
Along the way down or back:
- MM 77.5 Robbie's Marina to feed the tarpon
- MM 29 - Big Pine Key:
Key Deer State Park: http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/ - Home of the endangered Key Deer. They are a small version of deer. Do not speed through this area, especially at night, you will be ticketed. Lots of warning signs up.
Places to eat/things to eat:
Local fare to try includes Fish Dip (Smoked fish & spices), Conch Chowder (spicy tomato based soup), Conch Fritters, Stone Crab Claws(dip in Remoulade Sauce) , Key Lime Pie.
Pepe’s - http://www.pepescafe.net/ Locals place, though getting more popular with the tourists. Great place for breakfast.
Blue Heaven - http://www.blueheavenkw.com/ http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Bl..._Key_West.html
Good breakfast. Live music, outdoor dining. Will be a wait. Never eaten dinner there though.
Places to drink:
Green Parrot - http://www.greenparrot.com/ - Best locals bar. Good live music, great jukebox.
Schooner Wharf - http://www.schoonerwharf.com/ - Throw back to old time Key West. Water front.
Captain Tony’s – Oldest bar in Key West, home of the Hanging Tree. Usually have music. Jimmy Buffett Iconic place
Turtle Kraals - http://www.kwflausa.com/key-west-listing-7332.html - Relaxing place with nice view and historical, as it is where the turtle pens (called kraals) were during the days when they were commercially harvested. If you are in the area and want a drink or snack, worth a stop.
Touristy places, but almost a requirement:
Sloppy Joe’s – Hemmingway’s hangout.
Margaritaville – Live music, decent food.
Hog’s Breath – http://www.hogsbreath.com/ - Better than no breath at all.
Other things to do:
Calendar of Events: http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/calendar.html
Key West Guide - http://www.kwflausa.com/
Sunset at Mallory Square – Get there an hour or two beforehand for the various street entertainers. Good food and drinks at El Meson De Pepe right in front of Mallory Square. They usually have a band around sunset.
Historical:
Mel Fischer’s Treasure Museum – The amount of treasure in there is stunning.
Hemingway House –
Southernmost Point
Key West Cemetery – Like New Orleans, interesting head stones. My favorite is “See, I told you I was sick.”
Fort Zachary Taylor - http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/home.html
Fort Jefferson - http://www.fortjefferson.com/home.htm - Dry Tortugas, a nice day trip or half day trip.
Land
Trolley or Conch Train – Good way to get around the island and see it all. One of them has a 2 day pass, but forget which one.
http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/
http://www.conchtourtrain.com/index.htm
Haunted Key West walking tours –
Rent a scooter (note, they do bust people for DUI on the scooters.)
Water
Snorkeling trips – there is one that is a catamaran that is pretty interesting, but there are a multitude of them.
Last edited by pbiflyer; Jun 11, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Jun 11, 2015, 3:58 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
Posts: 29,787
As far as avoiding tolls in Miami, on the trip to/from Key West, you are going to have to use the 826 (aka, Palmetto Expressway) south to US1, then south from there. It will take a while.
I would also take Card Sound Key road, which has a tool, but you can pay with cash. More scenic.
In Miami, you are going to have to take 7th ave, W Flagler or Calle Ocho into town to avoid the toll on the Dolphin Expressway (836).
There are some free/low cost things in Miami. Obviously the beach. You can stroll down Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach. Certain days have a farmers market there. Great people watching.
A drive down the Rickenbacker Causeway (I think there is a toll, not sure if you can pay in cash though) to Bill Braggs State Park is nice.
Coral Gables and the Miracle Mile have great shopping. There are some great art museums in Miami, including the Perez Art Museum.
Drink Cuban coffee somewhere (La Carretta), eat an empanada.
I would also take Card Sound Key road, which has a tool, but you can pay with cash. More scenic.
In Miami, you are going to have to take 7th ave, W Flagler or Calle Ocho into town to avoid the toll on the Dolphin Expressway (836).
There are some free/low cost things in Miami. Obviously the beach. You can stroll down Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach. Certain days have a farmers market there. Great people watching.
A drive down the Rickenbacker Causeway (I think there is a toll, not sure if you can pay in cash though) to Bill Braggs State Park is nice.
Coral Gables and the Miracle Mile have great shopping. There are some great art museums in Miami, including the Perez Art Museum.
Drink Cuban coffee somewhere (La Carretta), eat an empanada.
Jun 11, 2015, 4:24 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
Hi writerguyfl and pbiflyer. Thank you so much for all your insights! I now have some starting points to plan out our trip. I did some more research and found out that tolls are indeed terrible for travelers who rent cars in FL. Your advice and Google Maps will probably help me a great deal there.
We're actually arriving in Miami in the next hours. I'm really looking forward to all the things that we can do down here.
We're actually arriving in Miami in the next hours. I'm really looking forward to all the things that we can do down here.
